Utah's alpine route (Highway 150) begins west of Kansas and climbs 3200m as it heads for Wyoming. The scenery is fantastic with views of the peaks, passing Mirror Lake and trails and campgrounds in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest.

On Hawaii's "Big Island" three state routes, 11, 19 and 190, circle the island's perimeter. It passes deserts of lava, jungles, farmland, live lava flows, beaches, mountains and valleys. The drive is 483km so it's worth taking a few days to appreciate the scenery.

This 204km highway in Alaska connects Anchorage and Seward. You can expect to see waterfalls, fishing villages, mining towns, forest and glaciers and you just might spot eagles, moose and beluga whales. The road climbs 304m into the mountains and then descends to sea level all within an hour.